Foreign Product Alert

2007-47
April 13, 2007
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following product listed in the table below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Lexscl Fat Rapid Loss

Date of alert	April 13, 2007
Source of Alert	Hong Kong Department of Health
Product Names	Lexscl Fat Rapid Loss capsules
Manufacturer / Place of Origin	Lexscl Products Company (US)
Products Description	Lexscl Fat Rapid Loss capsules are marketed as weight loss products. They are packaged in a white bottle bearing an orange and red label, inside a box with similar colouring.
Reason for Warning	The Hong Kong Department of Health found Lexscl Fat Rapid Loss capsules to be adulterated with sibutramine and thyroid hormones. Sibutramine is a prescription drug used for the treatment of obesity, while thyroxine and liothyronine are prescription thyroid hormones. These drugs are not intended for self-care, and should only be taken under the guidance of a health care professional.
Possible Side Effects	Consumers who use Lexscl Rapid Fat Loss capsules may be at risk of serious side effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), and chest pain. Individuals who are also using other specific health products, or with pre-existing health conditions, may have an increased risk of serious adverse reactions with the use of Lexscl Rapid Fat Loss capsules.

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Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

This product is not authorized for sale in Canada and has not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, it is possible this product could be purchased by Canadians travelling abroad or has been brought into Canada through personal importation by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the product listed in the table in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.